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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No Annual Leave during school holidays

329 replies

Dodoluded · 30/09/2019 11:49

I’ve just been told that because I don’t have a child I can’t take annual leave during school holidays as my line manager needs to take that time off for child care arrangements and one of us need to manage the team (I do this when she is not there).

Basically she’s taking a week off either side of Christmas and has worked one day per week over the summer holiday and taken the rest as unpaid leave.

There are already four months in the year when I am not allowed to take any annual leave due to my workload.

AIBU to not agree to the holidays leave thing? None of this was explained at interview or before my probationary period finished.

They have just refused a leave request for next year as it overlaps with school holidays by four days although she currently has no leave booked for this period.

OP posts:
Chubbyorcuddly · 01/10/2019 20:47

Your employer is not discroni sting against you or acting unlawfully. An employer can dictate pretty much when you take your leave as long as you are getting the statutory minimum or contractual amount. However, it sound pretty unfair that you are being so restricted not because if business needs but because of a colleague. Have a chat with HR or alternatively raise a formal grievance.

merrymouse · 01/10/2019 21:04

I’ve just been told that because I don’t have a child

This is really strange.

Would they try to sack you if did have a child or would you joint the magic holiday club?

There is a difference between a rule that affects all members of staff because of operational requirements and a blanket ban on holiday at particular times for people who don't have children. There are loads of reasons to need time off work that don't involve children.

INeedAFlerken · 01/10/2019 21:06

The whole thing is really shit, and it sounds like the directors know this could really blow up.

Hope you're ok, OP.

Sleepyquest · 01/10/2019 21:12

Is be furious about not be allowed Christmas off, whether you have kids or not that time is family time for most!

syskywalker · 01/10/2019 21:15

I’m pretty certain as per employment law. An employer can NOT specify blocks of time that you can not take holiday in. And this would be discrimination as the only valid reason would be business needs, not other employees needs and has to be justified! Query it and if need be raise a grievance against her!

Yusrah · 01/10/2019 21:17

Hi,

As per basic conditions of employment act your employer cannot change/alter your working conditions without giving you a new contract and you've signed it.

So if under the "annual leave" section or the contract the above claim was not mentioned, then they need to change contract and give it to you to sign.

Marple52 · 02/10/2019 04:13

That’s discrimination, it should have been mentioned when you first had the interview.

Mary54 · 02/10/2019 05:09

OP. This is standard in Germany. Employees with school age children have to be given priority at school holiday periods. Not sure that it extends to someone taking unpaid leave though. Check with hr

Llioed · 02/10/2019 05:23

Are you ok OP? How is hospital and IV doing?

Tippety · 02/10/2019 06:17

@Mary54 it's not in England (not sure about the rest of the UK), thankfully.

LongTimeSinceSingle · 02/10/2019 06:46

What is the history of the position before you? Was it high turnover? They have hired you with the knowledge that this is the circumstances. They were not upfront with you and just hoped that you were someone with no DC and you wouldn't rock the boat or need those holidays.

Very poor HR and hiring. Tell them to move you to another position or you will leave.

froggybiby · 02/10/2019 06:47

I hope you get better soon.
You definitely should get promoted. I think the directors aren't stupid. The problem is getting rid of someone who has been there so long. It might take time.

jackstini · 02/10/2019 06:57

Hope the peach is now no more and you are feeling better Dodo

Will be interesting to see what HR/directors say...

YobaOljazUwaque · 02/10/2019 07:01

@Mary54 how utterly miserable to have a system that deliberately makes it difficult for family gatherings and holidays to include godparents, grandparents, siblings and cousins of working age, aunts and uncles without their own children yet, or any of the other myriad of adults who might be important in a child's life without being their parents. I am so glad there is no such rule here.

nettie434 · 02/10/2019 07:16

Hope you are feeling better Dodoluded. And good luck with job hunting/sorting things out at work.

KitKat1985 · 02/10/2019 07:34

Hope you are feeling better OP. x

kitk2tty · 02/10/2019 07:51

On my last job there was a week every month I wasn't allowed to take holiday on, because it was busy on those weeks. My husband in the other hand had fixed holidays set by the company at his job. That meant that we couldn't always take our leave together.
Why would you even want to take off school holidays? Everything is more expensive and busy then.

nettie434 · 02/10/2019 08:03

Why would you even want to take off school holidays? Everything is more expensive and busy then.

Upthread the OP explained that she wouldn’t usually want to go away during the school holidays but her request was for a few days to go to an (unspecified) event. Other people attending had children and could not go outside school holidays in case they were fined. Also, the line manager takes unpaid leave or works at home during every week of the school holidays which means the OP could not even take just one day’s leave during these periods.

Rezie · 02/10/2019 08:03

Why would you even want to take off school holidays?
I know quite a few people who would like to have some time off in the summer. Also there are a lot of events and festivals at that time that people without kids enjoy. Also, even if you don't have school aged kids you have friends and family that do and want to organize something and it would be nice to be part of it. And mainly I don't appreciate someone telling me I'm not allowed to have annual leave due to other people life choices unless it is written in the contract. I don't have kids and usually dont want to holiday at half terms but not allowed annual leave at the best times in the summer is not fair.

PurpleDaisies · 02/10/2019 08:06

Why would you even want to take off school holidays? Everything is more expensive and busy then.

Why does it matter? That’s when the op wants off and her preferences should be equal with everyone else’s.

merrymouse · 02/10/2019 08:17

Why would you even want to take off school holidays? Everything is more expensive and busy then.

Because the weather in the UK is good?

Because a parent is having an operation?

Because it is your birthday?

Because you want to travel to go to a wedding or christening?

Because your pet is ill?

Because another family member or friend with children would like help with childcare?

merrymouse · 02/10/2019 08:17

Because you are having work done on your house?

ShatnersWig · 02/10/2019 08:20

Not reading a full thread should be punishable by a six month prison sentence. Can't believe people are still doing the "why would you want to go away in school holidays?" crap. Even with answers given many times in the thread, it doesn't take much brain power to work out possibilities.

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 02/10/2019 09:21

Hope you're feeling better Op.

WorldEndingFire · 02/10/2019 09:26

YANBU - join a trade union and you will be assigned a rep who will be able to give you proper legal advice and who will attend meetings with you and will advocate on your behalf. Being in a trade union also means you have access to free legal representation of you should ever need it as well as discounts on all sorts of things. Good luck. www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

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